Chapter 4

My ankle was badly twisted.

Serena's eyes were red, and she kept repeating "I'm sorry."

Her body trembled, her voice shaking.

"I'm so sorry, Julian, I didn't take good care of you... I'm awful..."

I gently pushed her away, my voice flat.

"Why was there an unput-away plastic ball there?"

Serena's voice caught in her throat.

Of course, she knew why. Those were the toys she had prepared for her son's birthday party.

She hadn't figured out how to explain yet.

Just then, her phone rang. Dylan's photo, as usual, flashed across the screen with the ringtone.

A man's voice, feigning urgency, came from the other end. "Leo has a fever, Serena. Can you come with me to take him to the hospital, please?"

Serena instinctively looked up at me.

Her face was conflicted, but in the end, she chose to abandon me.

"Something urgent came up at the office. I'll be back soon, honey. Wait for me."

With that, she didn't wait for my reaction and bolted out.

At the same time, I received a friend request.

It was Dylan.

I accepted, and he immediately sent a message.

"Serena still chose me, didn't she? If you're smart, you'll just get lost and stop being an eyesore to our family!"

I didn't reply. Instead, I clicked on his Ins profile.

The latest video featured Susan.

She was kneeling before a wall adorned with religious icons, devoutly praying for Dylan's safety.

Dylan held the phone, recording, his voice triumphant.

"You said you'd give anything for my safety. Would you even sacrifice Julian's safety for mine?"

Susan smiled, playfully scolding him. "What are you saying? Of course, I would."

At that, my hand went slack, and my phone clattered to the floor, its screen shattering into a spiderweb of cracks.

I shakily picked up the phone, only then noticing.

Dylan was wearing the very good luck charm Susan had once sought out for me.

I saved everything, the despair in my heart deepening with every passing second.

I suddenly couldn't find any meaning in my existence.

My in-laws pushed open the door and saw this scene.

My eyes bloodshot, I looked at Susan, on the verge of breaking down.

"Mom, do you truly see me as your son-in-law?"

"Are you hoping I just drop dead?!"

Susan stared at me, aghast.

The next second, a clear red handprint bloomed on my face.

David's eyes bulged with rage. "Your mother is so worried about you! How can you speak to her like that? You're truly no match for Dylan..."

He suddenly cut himself off, a look of pure regret on his face.

I laughed out loud, tears streaming down my face with the laughter.

The hospital room fell silent.

That suffocating silence persisted until I was discharged and went home.

David's friend was waiting at the door, holding a gift. Seeing us, he stepped forward, smiling.

"Congratulations, Mr. Quinn. I couldn't make it to the birthday party the other day-"

He didn't get to finish. David's expression tightened as he looked at me.

Soon after, Susan pulled me into a side room.

"You're just out of the hospital. You should be resting."

Her words came quickly, and she left almost immediately.

They were afraid I would discover the truth. I already had.

I pulled out my phone and opened the latest video Dylan had sent. Serena kissing his son. My heart went cold.

I turned toward the window and called Serena.

"Serena, you once said you wanted to settle overseas with me. If I asked you now to pack everything and start fresh with me...would you still go?"

It was loud on her end. Her voice came through faint, but I heard the refusal clearly.

Serena's voice was a bit muffled, but I still caught her refusal.

"Why fix what isn't broken? Let's not talk about moving abroad."

My hand tightened around the phone.

That was the moment my heart closed to her for good.

"Serena, how about I give you a gift you'll never forget?"